Maggette Close to Returning

Corey Maggette was ready to play Monday against the San Antonio Spurs, according to Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry. Heck, he was ready to play last week. But it was decided the team would wait a few more days until allowing him to play.

Maggette has been on the injured list since Feb. 22 because of two dislocated bones in his right hand, suffered when he pounded the scorer’s table in anger during a loss the night before to the Orlando Magic. He also underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee while rehabilitating his hand injury.

He pronounced himself fit after Sunday’s practice, his first with teammates.

“We’re going to let him practice for a few more days,” Gentry said. “I think he’s pretty healthy, really, but we want him to do some basketball stuff on the court before we stick him back into a competitive situation.”

Playing the Spurs on a Monday and then facing the Kings in Sacramento on a Tuesday is nobody’s idea of a good time. But that was the Clippers’ lot as they began the stretch drive with the first of six sets of games on consecutive nights.

“It’s the toughest back-to-back that anybody in the NBA could face,” Gentry said. “We’re playing against the team that, arguably, is the best team in the NBA right now with the way they have been playing [during the Spurs’ 12-game winning streak] and we’re playing the very best team in the league at home [the Kings].

“But that’s the way it is.”

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Gentry was under the weather Monday, having caught a bug from his young sons.

“They don’t care if they breathe and cough on you,” he said. “But there’s no injured list for coaches.”

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TONIGHT

at Sacramento, 7:30, TBS

Site--Arco Arena.

Radio--KMPC (1540).

Records--Clippers 36-35, Kings 49-19.

Record vs. Kings--1-1.

Update--The Clippers are 5-10 in the second of back-to-back games. They have lost seven in a row against the Kings at Sacramento, including a 105-91 defeat Jan. 2. The Kings have a 32-4 record at home. The Kings have the league’s best overall record and the best home-court mark at 32-4. Sacramento is coming off a one-point loss Sunday against to the Lakers.